Lothian Massage & Acupuncture

According to allopathic medicine,

back pain occurs when there is damage to ligaments, muscles, and joints or systemic infection. Most people experience some form of back pain at some time, but it is usually resolved before investigations reveal a cause. Chronic back pain usually results from pain and tenderness in the coccyx after a fall (coccygodynia), pressure on the sciatic nerve (sciatica), an infection of the kidney (pyelonephritis) degeneration of joints between the spine (osteoarthritis)pain in the back muscles (fibrositis). Treatment varies and includes rest, painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, acupuncture, exercise, and physiotherapy.

Natural healing methods state

that the lower back results from many causes but that the most frequent is a consistent injury to the kidneys from poor dietary habits and stress. Stress is considered the single most powerful destroyer of energy in the entire system, especially the muscles of the back. If the kidneys and the related muscles of the lower back weaken, the muscles go into spasm. This causes the muscles on either side of the spine to pull unequally on the spinal vertebrae. Eventually, the disks and nerves become pinched from the bending movement placed on the spine, and acute pain results.

The pain of the middle back is often associated with imbalances in the liver and the spleen. These organs also provide energy for the muscles of the middle back.

Upper back pain can be caused by excess kidney energy that is transformed upwards to the neck, low heart energy, or tension in the shoulder muscles caused by stress and liver or gallbladder imbalances.

Back pain can also originate from more traditional causes such as lifting heavy objects, prolonged standing, poor posture, lack of exercise, and kidney and reproductive problems.

Emotional cause back pain

is the most complex pain as it is associated with so many emotions and thoughts. What can be happening in your life that is manifesting these problems? Are you faced with tough decisions that will involve finances? Are you feeling unloved?

If the spine is not aligned correctly then pain can manifest as follows:
Pain in the upper back and neck can be due to a lack of emotional support, feeling unloved and possibly holding back on giving love to others, and the feeling of being overloaded with responsibility.
Pain in the middle back may indicate you are weighed down with guilt, burdened with worry, and closed to receiving life’s blessings.
Pain in the lower back is often associated with a lack of financial support.
Also, issues of lack of abundance, sexual matters, and feeling trapped under the pressure of keeping up a brave face in times of uncertainty and fear, may be indicated.

Recommended complementary treatments

• Avoid excess weight and stress by following a balanced weight reduction program that includes foods high in whole grains, fresh vegetables, beans, and fruit and a low level of animal fat. This is especially important if the stomach is enlarged as the weight has a tendency to pull on the lower back.
• Review and where possible change the sources of muscle tension: excess sitting; lack of exercise; Jobs that require repetitive motion; and stress or repressed emotions, especial anger and fear.
• Take regular aerobic exercise, walking at a brisk pace for at least a half-an-hour each day. Walking is a wonderful way not only to exercise the body but to reduce stress.
• Use daily stretching exercises to loosen and tone muscles. Normally this is done when you wake up in the morning.
• Therapeutic massage, hydrotherapy, and hydrotherapy combined with essential oils hot compresses on the painful part of the back will increase circulation, followed by cold ones to reduce the swelling. Oils in the compresses such as chamomile will have an anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic effect, while wintergreen, camphor, or eucalyptus help to warm and relax the muscles. 

Ref: Hall, M.: A Practical Guide to healing more than 80 common health problems